The Ohio Department of Transportation is starting work this week to widen Interstate 77 in southern Cuyahoga County.
The state agency is expanding I-77 from two to three lanes between Oakes Road and the Ohio Turnpike, a stretch of just over 2 miles.
The $18 million project, taking place in Brecksville and a bit in Richfield, also will include new lighting, signage, concrete barriers and pavement.
The work is expected to be completed by July 2018.
The goal is to reduce congestion and improve safety between Akron and Cleveland. About 60,000 vehicles a day travel in the construction area.
The northbound and/or southbound right lanes on the highway will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting overnight Wednesday through early April.
Kokosing Construction Co. will be doing work on the shoulders so traffic can be shifted in early April while the new lanes are constructed.
The agency said the widening will occur in the median so all traffic lanes will be maintained during the work.
Motorists will encounter reduced speed limits in the area while crews are working. ODOT will use electronic signs to alert drivers about the speeds.
The project is part of an overall widening effort along the highway that already has seen I-77 widened between Oakes Road and Interstate 480.
ODOT also now is studying whether to widen I-77 to three lanes from the turnpike to just south of Ghent Road in Summit County. Those findings will be released to the public in the summer or spring, agency spokesman Justin Chesnic said.
If the study determines that the highway should be widened, ODOT will then seek funding for the project, he said.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .